The story you are about to read is something related to the Nativity Story. Although it is only a product of my imagination and that it is not found in biblical sources nor historical records, I do hope that this story would touch the lives of its readers by making them aware of the true meaning of Christmas.
"... and the angel said to them, 'Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
- Luke 2:10-11
The Shepherd Boy
Bethlehem, a city which was once known to be the city of David, is now under the colony of Imperial Rome with Caesar Augustus as the emperor.
'Twas late in the night when our story begins. The night sky is vast and empty. Nothing are displayed on it except the raven color of darkness. The streets of the city is bare and the coldness and stiffness of the breeze of the wind came rushing to almost every direction. The night was silent. So silent was the night that you could hear the gentle flapping of a crow's wings, the silent breath of a sheep's yawn, and the careful bite of a cattle chewing grass.
By this late hour, most of the people in the town are already inside the comfort of their own homes sleeping and resting after a hard day's work. For the Jews needed to pay taxes to their Roman conquerors and in order to get the money for payment, they have to exert their efforts in working. They would work either on the fields, where the sun's heat is overwhelming, where they had to plant crops and sell them when they grow abundantly, or tame beasts for their own agricultural affairs like flocks of sheep and herds of cattle and cow, where they would sell their milk when the animals they tame would produce them. Since the Romans were strict and cruel in their colonies, they added the law that if one doesn't have something to pay with, they would create a harsh punishment towards the person or worse, take away that person's life.
Such barbaric and ruthless rules were imposed on their conquered lands for the Romans had the mentality that they were far greater than any other races in this world and that they believed that their emperor is the supreme ruler over all. Little knowledge had they known that this night, is like none other. For the Jews and Gentiles, something great, unfathomable, and unimaginable is going to happen tonight. A prophecy that has long been foretold is going to be fulfilled. A prophecy prophesied thousands of years before the Roman conquest of the Jewish lands. A prophecy prophesied by the prophets of old. The fulfillment of that prophecy would change the course of mankind's history forever.
Though the hour was late and many people are already sleeping, Kai, a shepherd boy, was still out in the fields taking careful watch over his flock.
"Thirty three, thirty four, thirty five," he slowly counted the number of sheep he has. He has fifty of them. Even though he already knew how many sheep he has, he still wanted to make sure that he didn't lose any. Since sheep are the kind of four legged beasts that can easily be led astray. One sheep might lose sight of the flock it belongs to, can go towards any direction with the result of being lost. That is one major problem any shepherd has to face whenever they tend their flock.
"Forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty! Thank goodness I haven't lost any." Kai made a slight clap of his hands, physically initiating the success of his job today - tending his flock properly. He then heaved a sigh of content and wiped his forehead with his arm and leaned on the staff he's been holding. Some of the sheep were still chewing the grass on the field while others are already tired by slightly lying on the ground and suggesting with their bleats that they should take a rest after a day of being herded.
Seeing them tired as well as being tired himself, Kai decided that he should go home with his flock. He's already been accustomed to this because this is his daily routine. Walking home doesn't entirely exert much effort to him and his flock because his home is just minutes away from the field and the town of Bethlehem is just beside the field where he does his herding everyday.
* * *
Truth is, Kai is living under the same roof with the flock of sheep he's been herding. Kai doesn't live in an extravagant or an ordinary home. He lives in a stable together with his flock as well as other animals such as horses, cattle, and cow owned by other herders as well. For Kai, it didn't matter to him living in a stable, as long as he is in the comfort of living in it and that he still has a place where he can stay and which he can call his home. But his lifestyle has not always been like that. Everything happened to be perfect for him. Before, he was living in a life more than his heart's content. Then everything ended tragically. He did have his own family once and he did have a suitable home. But that was way before everything tragically happened. He was very young to remember his biological family. His mother died when she gave birth to him. His father was the one who fully raised him. Until he was in the very young age of eight, when his father was unable to pay the taxes he was intended to pay, got arrested by the Roman soldiers, brought to the mainland of Rome, and was never seen again. No knowledge did Kai knew of his father from then on. Since then, Kai became parent-less. But as a door closes, a window opens. Fortunately, there was a childless Jewish couple who goes by the names of Albar and Serah.
Albar and Serah had no child of their own for they were already in an age of great maturity way past the age of being fertile. When they knew the news in town that a child had no parents to take care of him, they adopted Kai for their own and became Kai's foster parents. They were generous and willing to take care of Kai. Since they were both childless and would do anything to have a child of their own. For them, they considered this as God's great blessing and for Kai, he considered Albar and Serah as gifts from the Lord. For Albar and Serah were both devout Jews. As foster parents, they raised and nurtured Kai well as any parents would for their own biological offspring. As an adopted son, Kai payed great respect and honor to them like how he would treat his biological parents when they would still be there to nurture him.
It was fortunate for Kai to be treated like Albar and Serah's only son. For the couple was greatly knowledgeable and were in deep faith of the Jewish God, Yahweh. They were the ones who taught Kai of the history of their nation, their ancestors and prophets and how God came to rescue them in times of great need and trouble, and the basic principles and teachings of their faith. Kai was inspired by such stories. From the creation of the world to the fall of man, from a faithful follower who goes by the name of Noah to God's promise that never again will he destroy His creation by a devastating flood, from the tower of Babel to the confusion of mankind's languages and communications, from the establishment of God's covenant to Abraham, the father of the Jewish Nation, to the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, from the slavery of the ancient Jews in Egypt to the great exodus led by Moses through his deep faith in God to the promise land and the making of the Ten Commandments. Through these accounts taught by the couple, Kai became aware of his faith to God and he slowly grew to being God's follower. He was taught well and from those teachings, he got fully equipped with the knowledge of God's Word. Since the time when Albar and Serah adopted Kai and took him as their own son, Kai grew in faith and wisdom and practiced the principles of his faith to God. Kai became God-fearing and faithful and he remained that way until now. Prayer is his way of communicating to God and every day, whether by all by himself or with his foster parents, he would pray to God with a grateful heart, thanking Him for all the blessings and kindness he has been blessed to have. Albar and Serah loved Kai like they would love no other and for Kai, he felt that way to them in return.
Many of the stories of faith inspired Kai. But there was one that captured him the most: the prophecy of the Messiah. Back in the story of creation, God created everything good and perfect and all for His glory and for the good of His creations. Until the first man and woman disobeyed Him and had fallen into sin. Since then, sin entered the world and made man imperfect in the eyes of God. Perfection and purification was stained by man’s sin. From then on, God’s bond with man was broken by the wages of sin. For the wages of sin is death and God doesn’t want His creations to die. For sin had entered the world, it was difficult for God to form men and women back into His image and likeness. To end the wages of sin, God decided to create a solution to the problem. That is, sending a redeemer. A redeemer to redeem and save us all back to God. A redeemer which can unite all races, Jews and Gentiles alike to be purified through the shedding of the redeemer’s blood. For forgiveness requires the shedding of a blood. But the blood of whom? The blood of the redeemer is the only thing that can cleanse us all and sustain us back to the Lord. That redeemer is the Messiah. The prophets of old had prophesied the coming of the Messiah. Moses, King David, and Isaiah alike. For the redeemer is none like any other. Not an ordinary human nor a certain being, but the incarnate of God. The redeemer is God in flesh. Through that redeemer, all people who believes are save and can have eternal life in paradise. Not physically, but spiritually.
But Kai’s concern is when will He come? When will the Messiah come? Many have prophesied about Him but He still didn’t arrive. He always asked these kinds of questions to his foster parents. In return, Albar and Serah taught Kai to be patient. Patience, for all things are being carefully planned by God. It is in God’s perfect timing, that everything will happen accordingly to how He plans it to be. The Messiah will come in God’s perfect timing. All there’s left to do is to hope, have faith, anticipate, be patient, and live with faith.
Not only did the couple taught Kai about teachings of faith, the couple did manage to raise Kai as a well, healthy, and joyful child. Since Albar and Serah owned an inn for travelers, Kai did help with the business management. It was Albar who gave the knowledge to Kai about shepherding and taught him the skills and practices on how to do it properly. When he was well on his own, Albar finally gave Kai a huge flock of sheep and built a stable enough to accommodate the numbers of the flock of sheep Kai has. Shepherding then became his daily routine. He would go in the fields most especially when the sun is at its brightest with his flock enjoying the free wind that passes through the green pastures. For other herders, shepherding is a tiresome activity that requires more than the effort they can give. For Kai, it was a fun activity outdoors especially when his flock were fully tamed and were obedient followers. Everywhere Kai goes, they would follow. Whatever direction he would command, they would listen and obey. Kai loved to be present outdoors in green pastures. When his flock are resting, he would spare his free time writing a poem with a quill on a piece of papyrus:
So great are the hands of God.
Majestic creations had he made.
From the skies of blue and grass so green,
Such glory of His I have seen.
The sun gave light to everything below,
God grants warmth and this I know.
Clouds are white and birds take flight,
Of these I see within my sight.
My flock lay still and took their rest,
Shepherds too can lay and unwind.
In green pastures such comfort we receive,
With God's guidance towards us, this I believe.
Hoping that predators won't come,
To devour our flocks until we have none.
Wolves or beasts with sharp-edged teeth,
May come and go but not our flocks to eat.
I am grateful for all things,
God blessed me to have.
In green pastures I lay,
In shepherding my flock, this I may.
By daytime, shepherding was his activity. By night, he would help his foster mother, Serah, in the affairs of their inn. Their inn was a refuge among weary travelers. With Serah’s great hospitality and Kai’s help, their inn was productive.
Life was perfect for Kai and his foster family by then. They loved each other so much and that they were blessed by God in their household and their lives. But times may be unpredictable and tragic. We can never tell what is to come nor foresee what is going to happen. We can never be prepared for a tragedy that would change our lives forever. And that was what happened to Kai and his family.
When the Roman Empire rose to power and Caesar Augustus, their ultimate emperor, became greedy, selfish and hungry for power in terms of wealth and blood among his conquered nations, cities, and towns, considering Bethlehem was part of them, Bethlehem was unsafe for that period of time. A number of townspeople were captured and sold as slaves in the Roman Empire. The amount of taxes rose. Their properties, stolen. Anyone who opposes are punished by a terrible and unforgivable kind of punishment: the crucifixion on a cross. Many feared the Roman Soldiers as they ultimately attacked their conquered people and their siege to gather anyone who opposes their rule. Numerous left the conquered lands and places but most of them were captured. The Jewish Nation was stained by blood for that moment.
Because of the bravery of his heart, Albar opposed to the Roman Soldiers and was one of those who attacked them despite of his old age. Since the rebels were outnumbered, the Roman Soldiers captured them and burned all their properties, even their families. Hoping for his family to survive, Albar made Serah and Kai escape the town. Reluctantly, both Serah and Kai were unwilling to leave Albar in the hands of the Roman Soldiers for they would not want him to be crucified nor his life be taken away. Serah and Kai pleaded to the Roman Soldiers until they felt a little pity towards them. As an exchange for their lives, their properties are taken away and that includes the inn and more than half of the livestock they have in their stable which includes most numbers of flock of sheep Kai has. All that remains of them was the stable which now serves as their home, and only a few sheep left.
Fate even brought more cruelties in their lives for when a month passed, Albar died of old age and within a few weeks later, Serah followed. Nothing remained to Kai but the worn-out stable, a few of his flock, and his quill and papyrus. That was the time when Kai was beginning to question God. Where was He when all those terrible things happened in his life? Why did God allow such horrible things to happen? How could this tragedy happen to him?
Such things are yet to be explained. Kai suddenly remembered the story of Job. Job may have lost everything he had, suffered more than he could endure, but all in all, it was God whom he sought for help. Job placed his faith in God all the time and all the years in his life. Kai then remembered that God may allow tragic happenings in our lives, but He is always there to help us in times of trouble. God may allow the earth to be filled and covered with a tremendous flood that swallows even the highest mountains, but He will always place a rainbow in the sky by the end of it. God may allow a forty-year slavery of His people in the land of Egypt, but He was always there to guide them back to the Promise Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Those were some realizations Kai had for the moment. Even though he lost everything, he knows that God is always up to something for him. All he needs to do is to practice the virtue of patience, perseverance, and prayer.
Two years passed, Kai grew to be more independent physically in terms of his own efforts in taking care of himself and growing up, but remained dependent on his faith in God. He still did shepherding as his daily activity and often times he helped other townspeople in their works. He planted crops in fields or herd other animals for their agricultural affairs. Roman Soldiers still visited the town for tax verifications and collections but they only seldom do it because they still have to focus more on the larger cities they have conquered. But Kai had been able to manage to pay for the taxes they implemented. He is permanently living in the stable which was left for him with all other livestock like cows, cattle, and horses. Many offered him a more suitable home but he prefers to live in the stable for living in the stable was his way of remembering his beloved foster family, Albar and Serah. He may live on his own but he believes in God’s guidance and everyday, he prays for being grateful to God for being well and alive despite of all the circumstances he had been through.With his quill and what’s left of his papyrus, he wrote a poem:
God’s purpose is yet to be known,
Why things happen is not shown.
In time, we shall understand,
God’s plan working through His sovereign hand.
Patience, we must wait,
In Him we shall have faith.
Prayer is the solution,
With trust and devotion.
God knows what is in store,
In our life, I believe, there is more.
More than what life brings us.
Our faiths, in Him we trust.
Enemies may subdue us and destroy us,
But our God will never forsake us.
In times of trouble and need,
Call upon the name of the Lord and He will take heed.
A time will come when sorrows will be erased,
When joys are lit and hopes are raised.
A Savior will come to save us all,
Back to God where we are called.
Those were the times Kai had been experiencing. But by the age of sixteen, with early signs of maturity in his physical features and when he was fully equipped with independence, something great was about to happen. It was what he was anticipating the most. It will happen on this night in the town of Bethlehem. A peaceful, solemn, and silent night. A night which God had prepared. God’s great plan is about to happen. On this very night, God’s promise will finally be fulfilled and would change humanity’s faith forever. Though he did not know that it will happen on this night, God planned it beforehand and made sure that Kai will be there to witness the glorious event.
* * *
As Kai entered into the stable, he was already tired and weary. He let all his sheep get inside and hoped that they would be resting on their own. The rest of the animals in the stable are already resting deeply. The horses gave a whisper in their neighs, the cattle made a slight snore, and the rest of the sheep gave little bleats as they were sleeping soundly. Kai checked on the other animals and when he finally got contented and secured of all them resting, he closed the door of the stable and locked it for safety and security. The stable is just an ordinary place enough to accommodate every one inside with comfort and shelter. The roof and walls were made with thatched wood. Although it looks old and worn-out, the stable is strong enough to protect anyone inside from fierce wind, heavy rain, and strong storms. The floor was covered with pieces of hays from a haystack in the middle which served as a food among the livestock and a bed to Kai. Dusts were also present but Kai managed to clean the stable once in a while when some of the sheep in his flock are not well for herding. The stable is well enough serving as Kai’s only shelter.
As Kai was about to lie down on the pile of haystack and as he was beginning to close his eyes, he heard voices outside. He listened.
“Please sire, my wife’s about to give birth. Could you spare us a room? Any room will do.” Asked a man with pitiful pleading in the tone of his voice.
“But we are out of rooms. All rooms in our house are already filled. We have no room left for you.” Replied the man he was pleading to.
“Do you know any place where we can stay for the night?” Asked the man. Now with more pleading in the tone of his voice and an expression desperation.
“I do not know any. Now please, leave us in peace. We are tired from a day’s work. Find another place for your wife to give birth.” Came the reply of the man with a tone of irritation in his voice.
Then Kai heard the man closed the door right in front of the desperate man’s face with a loud thud. The man and his wife could be in serious trouble when he doesn’t do something. Curious and willing to offer his help, Kai got up and quickly went outside the stable. He was willing to offer his stable as a place for them to stay if they could not find any. When he went outside, he saw the man with his wife riding a donkey. They seem to be completely hopeless and he could see their faces already filled with exhaustion. It seems like they have traveled from a very far place. Kai saw that the man came knocking in every door of the houses of the town and no one came and opened the door for them nor offer them any places to stay. His wife’s face is already filled with pain and agitation. It seems like she couldn’t bear it any longer. The pain of childbirth could be so excruciating.
Kai followed them and without hesitation, called upon them.
“Sire! I do have a place to offer!” Kai called at them and came running to their direction. Despite being tired during the late hour of the night, Kai managed to make his voice loud for the man and his wife to hear and carried both his feet and made haste as fast as he can towards them.
Upon hearing Kai’s voice, the man turned to where Kai is at. Even the donkey and the man’s wife looked at his direction with slight joys upon their faces. Kai could see a sign of relief on their faces.
“Sire, I do have a place for your wife to give birth and for both of you to stay for the night. It’s already cold and dark and we do not know what will happen to both of you outside in a night like this knowing the fact that your wife is about to give birth.” Kai said to the man as he stopped in front of them, catching his breath.
“God has blessed us. Thank you lad for your kindness. Where is the place that you speak of?” The man said as he was being grateful to the boy who offered a place to stay.
“In a stable. It’s not much of a proper room, but it will surely accommodate and comfort both of you. It’s the place where I live. My shelter which I called home. I think it is quite enough for the both of you including your donkey to rest for the night. Your wife has suffered enough. Let her stay there and rest. Since no one has offered a decent room for the both of you for the night, let me help by sharing what’s left of mine.” Kai answered with sincerity and with pity in his voice, hoping that the couple would accept his offer. He really did want to help them despite of the stable he only has.
“Your offer is more than enough. For I think you are one of God’s blessings to us. Thank you for your kind offer. You will surely be blessed by the Most High.” The woman said as she kept on running her hands around her stomach to lessen the pain. Joy could be seen through the looks upon the man and wife’s faces and despite being tired and weary, their faces showed a great sign of relief.
“My life’s a blessing. God has blessed me in ways I cannot see. I may not have much but I am certainly willing to share. Now let’s get inside the stable. It’s cold out here and both of you need to rest. Both of you and your donkey have come from a very far place, I see. You really need a place to rest for the night.” Kai said as he saw the woman’s expression of eagerness to get rid of the pain and be finally done in giving birth. The man held his wife’s hand with tears welling in his eyes. Gratefulness could be seen in their faces and such joy had they been given with someone who helped them willingly and sincerely.
Not prolonging the woman’s pain, Kai led the couple into the stable and once they got inside, Kai, with the help of the man, quickly prepared a larger pile of haystack to serve as the bed on where the woman who is about to give birth to lie down and give birth. When they were done with it, the woman then lay down and started to give birth and welcome the wonderful bundle of joy. The child birth was not long enough but it was manageable by the woman. For even though she felt a serious and excruciating pain, all of them were erased when happiness filled the stable when the child came out. The man held his wife’s hands and embraced her with gladness. He then carried the baby and wrapped him with a cloth of linen. Kai helped by wiping the stains of blood out of the child’s body and carried the baby while the man arranged a manger that serves as the child’s place to lie down.
Kai was happy to help the man and his wife and he breathed a sigh of content. As he held the newborn child tenderly and softly in his arms, he could feel the softness and innocence of the child. The child was different from any other, this Kai noticed. It seems to Kai that the child could be someone special. He had the feeling of hope, faith, and joy raising in his heart. He never felt this way before. It’s something unexplainable to him yet something tells him that what he was anticipating could be over. Could the promise be fulfilled? This was the feeling Kai had. What was it that made him happy? He had just offered help but why is it that he felt something different? A joy beyond the borders of happiness through content. A joy that suggests him something great and scared has finally begun. A joy that made him want to praise God for His goodness and greatness. An unexplainable joy that could be explained in time. What could it be? What made him feel this way?
As Kai looked upon the child’s eyes and as the child looked upon his face in return, he could sense something familiar. It was like the time of the world stopped and by looking at the child’s eyes, Kai could see an overflowing joy, happiness, gladness, and peace. The child was pure and chaste. Then, something unexpected happened.
Suddenly, all the animals in the stable bowed their heads to the newborn child. The child was wrapped by a cloth of linen and was now placed on the manger. Kai couldn’t believe it in his own eyes. His flock and all other animals bowed to their heads on the ground as if they were worshiping the child and signifying the glorious moment. As they were bowing their heads, Kai could sense a great joy among all of them. The man and his wife held their hands tightly and smiled to each other with tears of joy streaming from their eyes down their cheeks. Kai wanted to cry too. But it was not a cry of pain nor sorrow, but of joy and hope. This glorious and unexplainable moment made Kai kneel to his knees, and looked above, and heaved a prayer of his own.
“Glory to God in the highest.” Kai prayed and exalted God as he knelt down on the floor with his knees and with his hands raised upward. Tears are now falling from his eyes. But even though he had that great joy in his heart, he still did not understand why this happened.
As he was raising his head and looking up above, Kai began to see something extraordinary and magnificent. A bright star appeared above. Though there was a sturdy roof on the stable, the star could be brightly seen despite of the roof’s borders. The star was so bright that even Kai himself suggested to himself that it could be the brightest star he had ever seen and it could be brighter than the rays of the sun itself. Suddenly, the ray of the star came down and brighten the whole room of the stable. The ray of the star pointed to the newborn child and lighted him much brighter than anything you could ever imagine. The child smiled with peace and glory in his eyes. Kai could never believe the sight which he is now seeing.
From the magnificent ray of the star, Kai could see a huge array of winged creatures lining with glorious and incredible light shining from themselves and they were singing songs that no human have listened or could ever sing. Their voices were extraordinary and rare. Their wings glittered like bright stars above the sky or rare diamonds beneath the pillars of the earth. Kai then recognized the light shining creatures. They were angels. God’s servants from the heavens above. As they begin to crowd the stable, they sung hymns of praise and glory to the newborn child with their voices as splendid and brilliant as anyone could ever hear.
Glory to God in the highest.
The Messiah has come to save mankind.
The Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Mighty Counselor.
Through Him, all things are bound for good.
Through Him, all are saved.
Hail to the victorious and triumphant God!
Sin’s curse will lose its grip on this world.
And everything will be well again.
The Savior of mankind has come,
The Messiah has arrived,
Rejoice people of the earth.
Good tidings of joy will you receive.
God’s plan is finally beginning.
All will be well,
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
As the angels sung their song, Kai couldn’t believe it in his senses. Even the man and the woman were both in awe. The whole stable was filled with great joy and praise. Kai finally witnessed the greatest moment man can ever have. He witnessed the birth of the Messiah. The birth of the Savior of the world. The birth of the Redeemer. The Redeemer of his dreams, the one whom he was anticipating to come. The plan of God is finally starting. His plan to save mankind through the Messiah. This was probably Kai’s greatest moment ever. Being able to see the Messiah face to face is an extraordinary thing. Kai could not explain his feelings right now. It’s mixed with great joy, ultimate gladness, raising hope, and sturdy faith. It’s as if all sorrows in this world ceased to exist and everything he had hoped for has finally arrive.
“The Messiah has arrived. The prophecy of the prophets of old is starting to unfold,” Kai said to himself as he rose up and went towards the man and his wife with great smiles on their faces.
“You could be the most blessed couple of all time. You have been found favor in God’s sight to raise the Messiah as your own.” Kai said despite of being in awe, he was able to mention his words correctly.
“Great joy do we have. But greater joy will all mankind have when the mission of the Messiah would finally be fulfilled. This night, is the start of His journey. His journey for the quest to spread the truth and for man’s salvation. It is a great honor to be chosen by God to raise the child as our own. His will be done among us all.” The man said as he gazed at the child joyfully and to his own wife as well. Both were happy and relieved.
As Kai was enjoying the wondrous sight, there came a knock on the door. At this time of night, he was wondering who could it be and why would they still be getting inside the stable at this late hour of night. Could it be the neighbors? Did they notice the bright star or heard the voices of the choir of angels? That could be both possible and impossible as well. Possible, since the star shone brilliantly above and that the sweet voices of the angels could be heard from afar. Impossible, because at this late hour of night, all people in the neighborhood are already fast asleep and lost in their own dreams. Nonetheless, Kai went to the stable door and opened it.
Outside, he saw a band of shepherds. Some carrying their sheep and others were bringing gifts of different kinds: crops for eating, flowers, and many more things a shepherd can afford to carry or make. Upon their faces, their looks gave an expression of eagerness and excitement.
“Is this the place where the Messiah is born?” Asked a shepherd with a beard as long as a rope which stopped to his knees.
“Can we see the Messiah? For it is of great honor to see His face on the night He is born.” Said another shepherd with a beard as white as snow.
Kai’s face was clueless. He didn’t know what to say. How did the shepherds know that this is the place where the Messiah is born? Of course the shepherds may be curious about the bright star above but how did they know that a child has been born in the stable? The walls are closed and so is the door. There are only few windows open only wide enough for the air to enter inside.
Seeing Kai’s face, one of the shepherds wearing a striped cloth of blue and white said:
“Just a while ago, we were on the fields keeping careful watch over our flock. Suddenly, a great light appeared to us and we were terrified. When we clearly saw the form covered by the radiance of the light, we recognized it as an angel An angel of the Lord appeared to us. He told not to be scared for he is about to bring us great news that will cause great joy to all people. Within the town of Bethlehem, the Messiah has been born. Under the star of David, we shall find Him.”
As Kai understood the shepherd’s story, he let them in the stable. When all of the shepherds went inside, they saw the Messiah wrapped in linen cloth and lying down peacefully on a manger. They were overjoyed when they see Him. They bowed their heads and knelt on the floor for worship.
Kai went and stayed beside the man and his wife who were both sitting down on a pile of hay near the manger. Kai asked, “This is an incredible night for us all. Even the shepherds are filled with joy. I am very happy to have helped. If I didn’t came to offer my stable as the birthplace for the child and as a resting place for the both of you, I would not have seen the Messiah personally. It seems like I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Kai.”
The man and woman were both grateful for Kai’s help and in return, they said, “Thankfulness should we both offer to you Kai. Indeed you have helped us greatly. Without your help, we may not survive for the night. But God works in mysterious ways. God sent us a blessing through you. Our names are Joseph and Mary and we have come from Nazareth. We came to Bethlehem because of the Roman Soldiers that roam our land. They would be ultimately furious in hearing the news of the birth of the Messiah. In order to escape, we journeyed from Nazareth, to Judea and from Judea, we set our quest to the town of Bethlehem.”
“I understand,” Kai gave a slight nod. “The journey must be a difficult one.”
“Difficult or not, we must do everything we can in every way possible just to take care of God’s Son. We may be terrified at first, but the Holy Spirit has guided us all the way. With God’s Spirit, courage is the best defense,” Joseph replied and Mary nodded with agreement.
Another knock came and again curious, Kai checked who was outside. When he opened the stable door again, he saw three men each riding with his own camel with clothes of nobility and royalty. They must be kings from a far away land as Kai thought. From the looks on their faces, they are very wise and knowledgeable in every way.
“We are astrologers from the east. Long have we foreseen the unexplainable brightness of the star which appears in the town of Bethlehem through our astrological equations. We may not understand what caused this to happen but for us to understand it among ourselves, we must see the star within our own eyes. we traveled far and wide to the town of Bethlehem. Now that we are here, we saw the star shining brightly and brilliantly. But we noticed that it gives its light here inside the stable. Curious, we asked ourselves what could it be that attracted the star’s light. So we came here. If it is okay for you to let us in, it is with our greatest honor and pleasure to see what’s inside. I am Balthazar, and these are my fellow astrologers, Melchior and Caspar. Humbly, we ask for your permission to go inside.” The wise man said with clothes of velvet and gold.
“We brought gifts from the place where we are from.” Melchior said. The man had a veil of white fit for a king.
“We mean you no harm. All is well for us.” Caspar said and as he was getting down from his camel. His coat of lavender shone like waves of purple ocean.
“All of you are welcome inside. Come and see the Messiah.” Kai said as he led the men inside with their camels.
When the astrologers came inside, immediately, they were in awe. For the light of the star shone brightly towards the child. They heard the voices of the choirs of angels and they saw the shepherds rejoicing with their hymns of praise. Seeing the glorious sight, the astrologers got their gifts and presented it to the child. They were pieces of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and all were placed in a medium-sized jewelry box adorned with pearls, amethyst, and diamonds.
Seeing all of them with great joy, Kai knelt to his knees and prayed. He thanked God for all the things he witnessed. As he saw the child, the child’s face was mild and tender. Then Kai knew, that the child, as the Messiah, would someday bear all the people’s sins and save all of mankind. He was grateful to have seen Him.
The peaceful night was filled with rejoicing and praising. The angels declared God’s glory and so are the shepherds, the wise men, Joseph and Mary, and most especially, Kai. That was the night when the Messiah was born. By dawn, everyone decided to go and as Kai, Joseph, and Mary, bid farewell to the shepherds and the wise men, they all have that one thing in common filled within their hearts – joy.
When morning came and when the sun was out in the sky, Kai woke up and rose from his bed of haystack, still in awe after what he had witnessed last night. When he finally got up, he saw Joseph packing their things for a beginning of another journey. He saw Mary preparing breakfast for all of them with some of the crops the shepherds brought last night. He saw the child still asleep on the manger.
“Where are you heading from here?” Kai asked as he helped Joseph pack their things, loading their bags with goods and putting them on the donkey’s saddle for carrying.
“An angel appeared to me in my dream last night. He said it is of great importance that we should go to Egypt.” Joseph answered.
“I see. Egypt’s way too far from here. You need plenty of goods to get there. Take the rest of the crops, you’ll need them.”
“Half of the crops are yours, Kai. God will provide for us as well as He blessed and provided for you. As long as His Spirit is guiding us in our journey, we are safe and well.”
“Seeing the Messiah with my own eyes already brought great joy within my heart. May you be blessed in your journey and may God protect you and your family from harm. Thank you for staying in the stable for the night.”
“It is us who should be thanking you, Kai,” Mary said as she was finished with her cooking and was distributing the plates to them with their breakfast prepared on it. “If it weren’t for your kind heart, we may not be in a place of comfort now. With gratitude, we give you thanks. God will bless you in all the days of your life.”
“So do I feel for the both of you. I wish you well in your journey. What name would you give to the child?” Kai asked.
“We would name Him, Jesus Christ. For He is the Savior of mankind and is God’s greatest blessing to us all.” Mary answered.
Kai embraced Mary and Joseph together and in return, the couple wrapped their arms around him as well. They did their graces and said their prayers as they were about to eat their breakfast. When they were eating their breakfast, their conversation was filled with merriment of last night’s event. They may be inside the stable but their joy is incomparable to that of a king living in a wealthy palace.
As Joseph, Mary and the child were about to leave, Kai gave his last farewell to them. Kai kissed the child on the cheek. Feeling the tenderness of the child’s soft skin, Kai appreciated the fact that he kissed the Messiah Himself. Each gave an exchange of waves as the family went for their final farewell. It was a memorable moment for him for not all people would have the chance to do that.
So there they were, the family, riding on their donkey, setting out on a new journey with hearts of gratitude towards God for keeping them safe for the night and feeling blessed with the company of Kai inside his stable. As Kai saw them for the last time, tears of joy came down from his eyes through his cheeks. He saw the Messiah and that was the greatest moment he had in his life.
Such joy did Kai felt at that moment in his life. It’s as if all grief, sorrows, fears, and woes are erased and have been replaced with ultimate happiness. He may have been experiencing a lot of tragedy in his life which made him feel unworthy and hopeless, but the joy and hope he felt when he saw the Messiah were incomparable and real. For him, seeing the Messiah was the best thing that ever happened to him. He believes that someday, the Messiah would save all of mankind’s sins and would bring all back to God. That was the greatest opportunity he ever had.
As the morning sun is bright above the sky, Kai went back to his stable with joy in his heart and thanked the Lord for everything He had done. Just like the usual days, Kai decided to herd his flock in the fields for it was a fine day for herding. He took his flock and went to the fields. There, he spent the day shepherding. By noon, he decided to take a rest. Seeing his flock resting lazily on the green pasture, he sat on a huge rock and rested. Through what’s left of his quill and the last page of his papyrus, he wrote a poem dedicated to the Lord:
Great is the God of all things,
All glory is His, the angels sing.
The heavens declare His glory,
For He is a God rich in mercy.
Joseph and Mary there they were,
Lost in the town, asking for a room to spare.
I offered my help with my stable so bare,
Inside they rest, and there they were.
‘Twas last night I saw,
The Messiah in full glory, I awe.
With the choirs of angels aligned,
To give praise unto the King with glory divine.
The bright star that shone above,
Brilliance it brings to shower the child,
With the light so rare and filled with love,
To light the child with face so mild.
Then all the animals bowed to the child,
With their heads, gently they bend.
For the animals were tamed and were not wild,
With the love of God through the child He sent.
The shepherds came and in the stable they saw,
The Son of God wrapped in cloth.
For the angel told them where He was,
With faces in awe and joy that lasts.
Wise men from the east visited as well,
Bringing gifts of goodness unto the child.
Pieces of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Gold,
For they saw the star, this they foretold.
Rejoicing was what we had,
To welcome to Son of God in our land.
The Savior of mankind and the Redeemer of them,
To save mankind and bring them back to God’s hand.
I am fortunate to see Him as well,
The Messiah as what the prophets foretell.
The joy I have is what I will treasure,
With God’s love this I assure.
Kai looked above the sky with a grateful heart. From then on, he never stopped growing with his faith in God. He hoped for another day that he would meet the Messiah again. As he was taught, all he could have for the moment is patience, hope, and faith.
